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Macroglobulinemia de Waldenstrom - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Macroglobulinemia primaria; Linfoma linfoplasmacítico

Definición:

Es un cáncer de los linfocitos B (un tipo de glóbulo blanco) y está asociado con sobreproducción de proteínas llamadas anticuerpos IgM.

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

La macroglobulinemia de Waldenstrom es el resultado de una afección llamada linfoma linfoplasmacítico. Se desconoce la causa de la sobreproducción de anticuerpos IgM, pero los investigadores creen que se produce por células del linfoma.

La sobreproducción de anticuerpos IgM que hace que la sangre se vuelva demasiado espesa, lo cual se denomina hiperviscosidad. Esto ocasionalmente hace más difícil el flujo de sangre a través de los vasos sanguíneos pequeños.

En los Estados Unidos, cada año, se diagnostican aproximadamente 1500 casos de macroglobulinemia de Waldenstrom y la mayoría de las personas que la padecen están por encima de los 65 años, aunque puede ocurrir en personas más jóvenes.

  • Reviewed last on: 4/30/2010
  • Todd Gersten, M.D., Hematology/Oncology, Palm Beach Cancer Institute, West Palm Beach, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Treon SP, Hatjiharissi E, Leleu X, Roccaro A, Merlini G. Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia/Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 88.

Rajkumar SV, Kyle RA. Plasma cell disorders. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 198.

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